AMA #65: Red light therapy: promising applications, mixed evidence, and impact on health and aging
Peter Attia
Nov 18, 2024
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Optimize red light coherence and collimation for effective penetration depth
The depth reached by red light depends on its coherence (how wavelengths line up) and collimation (how aligned the beams are), not just its intensity.
Understand limitations of red light penetration in skin treatment
Red light delivered by common LED devices, the most common method, can only penetrate about 2 to 3 millimeters into the skin.
Utilize lasers for deeper red light penetration
If red light is delivered by a laser, it can penetrate significantly deeper, from 1 to 4 centimeters, due to its focused energy.
Prioritize superficial applications for effective red light therapy
As a general rule of thumb, the more superficial the application for red light therapy, the more plausible it is that it will be effective.
Limit blue light exposure to boost energy production
Conversely, blue and green light wavelengths seem to decrease the activity of cytochrome C oxidase and subsequently decrease ATP production.
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